The suburb that goes global: Your city guide to Duluth

Gwinnett County, northeast of Atlanta, has evolved a lot over the past few decades into the fastest-growing county in the state. Nowhere in Gwinnett may have grown quite as vibrantly as Duluth, its second-largest city. This once-small trading post is today a hub for food and entertainment that spans across continents.

Gwinnett itself was established by the State of Georgia in 1818, and settlers soon followed. Evan Howell initially settled in the area and established a cotton gin and a crossroads between the far reaches of Peachtree Road and the Chattahoochee River. Howell Crossing, as it was once known, became an important link in trade and transportation, and the name of the town soon evolved. Duluth takes its moniker from the Minnesota town of the same name, dubbed in honor of the French explorer, which had recently also been connected to the rail system. Over the decades, Duluth grew its economy, and the city has the honor of electing Georgia’s first female mayor back in 1922.

In the new millennium, Duluth has evolved into a bustling hub for families, food and business. The city is home to venues for state lacrosse and hockey teams. Population across the city has exploded, and more than a quarter of new residents are foreign-born. With that comes a wide array of international shops and restaurants to enjoy, covering cultures as diverse as Korean and Colombian.

What can I do for fun in Duluth?

Go loco for locomotives at the Southeastern Railway Museum. Metro Atlanta fans of trains need not stick to Amtrak and MARTA. For the last 50 years, this 35-acre depot in Duluth has served as Georgia’s official transportation museum with a massive collection of rail cars for your viewing pleasure. Honor Duluth’s history and tour the yards to see trains, buses, and even ride in restored cabooses. It’s perfect for kids in their train phase or adults of all ages!

Take in the music at Red Clay Music Foundry. Founded by Eddie Owen, this performance venue and music school in Downtown Decatur has hosted acts big and small. Come see everyone from Jason Isbell to tribute bands for legends like James Brown and the Rolling Stones. (See full schedule on their website.) If you dream of one day being on stage, check out their music school, Gwinnett Music to learn to play.

Or belt the tunes yourself at karaoke. Prefer to sing hit songs yourself? Grab a group of friends and visit one of Duluth’s many karaoke bars. One favorite is DoReMi, which sits above an H-Mart shopping center so you can grab snacks before the show.

Need to relax? Head to Jeju Spa, a 24-hour Korean wellness spa. This peaceful haven offers access to several saunas, a junior Olympic pool, a bathhouse and specialized body scrubs that leave your skin glowing like never before.

Where are the best places to eat and drink in Duluth?

O4W Pizza

Named after its original location near Atlanta’s Beltline, these days O4W Pizza has taken Anthony Spina’s much-loved pies up to downtown Duluth. Step inside this cozy restaurant with an empty stomach, because you and your guests will devour their famous Grandma Pie. These massive 16-inch square pizzas are crisped in a cast iron pan and packed with flavor, no matter which variant you try. Those with smaller stomachs can enjoy a 10-inch Detroit pizza with a thick, crunchy crust surrounding a melted layer of meats and cheese.

Location: 3117 Main Street; Hours: Monday through Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 1-8 p.m.; Website: o4wpizza.com

Good Word Brewing and Public House

Just down Main Street lies this classic pub with good, old-fashioned customer service and a whole lot of brews. Come for their extensive line-up of IPA’s, pilsners, and lagers produced in-house. Stay for good conversation with friends and even better comfort food. Crispy fries drenched in beer cheese and chives, classic boiled peanuts, or panko-crusted shrimp skewers. Leave some room for their creamy banana pudding loaded with vanilla wafers to cap off your visit.

Location: 3085 Main Street, Suite 520; Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Website: goodwordbrewing.com

El Dorado

Dwarfed by the larger H-Mart shopping center behind it, this cozy cantina off Pleasant Hill is beloved by visitors for its big flavor and big value. El Dorado serves up generous portions with a smile. Pop in for their lunchtime specials or choose from all varieties of Mexican cuisine, from fresh-cut sizzling steak fajitas, to savory al pastor tacos loaded with toppings, to chunky burritos with lengua, chorizo, and more.

Location: 2570 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 102; Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Website: yelp.com/biz/el-dorado-duluth

678 Korean BBQ

It’s hard to turn a corner and not run into a Korean BBQ restaurant in Duluth, but 678 is one of the more delicious options. 678 offers all-you-can-eat meat and side dishes, circled around a central cooking hearth. What’s great about this restaurant is its charcoal-fueled stoves compared to the more-common gas stoves at other establishments. Your mountain of meat will have that perfect crispy char to it. Pair that with a bottle of soju and some veggies, and you have yourself a meal. Bring an empty belly and a full group of friends, you’ll need it!

Location: 3880 Satellite Boulevard; Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Website: kbbqstory.com

Masterpiece

There are tons of Chinese restaurants in Gwinnett, but this James Beard-nominated Sichuan restaurant is among the best. Befitting its name, Masterpiece goes beyond takeout with offerings like vegetarian soup dumplings, roast duck, spicy pork, and so much more. (Spice fans will love the numbing fried spice of their chili and ash eggplant or fish dishes.) The giant peppers and crispy peppercorns on many of their 100+ entrees will tempt your taste buds as well as your tolerance for pain, but it’s worth it every time.

Location: 3940 Buford Highway, Suite B103; Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Website: masterpieceduluth.com

Beard Papa’s

After all those hefty dinners, you’re going to want to wind down with a sweet treat from this trendy new Japanese café. Their layered cream puffs come in eight different flavored shells from green tea éclair to s’mores to a crispy almond shell, and are loaded with a sweet cream flavor of your choice. (Or if you want something denser but not less sweet, try their crème brulee or chocolate fondant cakes.) Everything is freshly baked to go and melt in your mouth delicious.

Location: 3350 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Suite 103; Hours: Sunday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Website: beardpapas.com/duluth